What Android app will play WMA files?
What are WMA Files?
WMA stands for Windows Media Audio, and refers to an audio file format developed by Microsoft. WMA files utilize lossy compression, similar to MP3 files, to reduce audio file size while preserving sound quality as much as possible. The WMA file format was first introduced in 1999 along with Windows Media Player version 7. Over the years, WMA has evolved with newer versions supporting better compression rates and additional features like digital rights management (DRM) support.
Being primarily developed by Microsoft, WMA files are most commonly associated with Windows Media Player on Windows operating systems. The format allows for smaller audio file sizes compared to uncompressed formats like WAV and AIFF, making WMA popular for reducing storage space and download times. However, the proprietary nature of WMA has hindered its adoption compared to more open formats like MP3. Overall, WMA remains a viable option for compressing audio, especially for Windows users who utilize Windows Media Player.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Media_Audio
https://www.loc.gov/preservation/digital/formats/fdd/fdd000027.shtml
WMA Support on Android
Android devices do not natively support playing WMA (Windows Media Audio) files. According to Leawo, the Android operating system and its default media apps like Google Play Music are designed to play common formats like MP3, AAC, FLAC and more, but do not support the proprietary WMA format out of the box.
So in order to play WMA files on your Android phone or tablet, you need to use third-party Android apps that have built-in support to decode and play WMA files. There are several good options available on the Google Play Store that can handle WMA playback easily.
Top Apps for Playing WMA Files
There are several good options for Android apps that can play WMA audio files. Some of the top choices include:
VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a popular, free and open source media player that supports WMA files on Android (source). Key features of VLC for Android include:
- Plays most audio and video file formats, including WMA
- Clean and easy to use interface
- Supports gestures to control playback
- No ads
WMA Pro Player
WMA Pro Player (source) is a music player app specifically built for playing WMA files on Android devices. Features include:
- Designed just for WMA playback
- Equalizer and audio settings
- Creates playlists of WMA files
- Free download with no ads
Rocket Player
Rocket Player is a versatile Android music player that includes support for playing WMA files. Its capabilities include:
- Plays a wide variety of audio formats
- Customizable interface and themes
- Equalizer and audio effects
- Folder browsing and playlist creation
BS Player
BS Player for Android enables WMA playback and has options like:
- Plays WMA and other audio formats
- Equalizer and playback speed control
- Designed for multimedia playback
- Free version with ads
VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a popular free and open source media player for Android that can play most video and audio files (source). It supports a wide range of file formats including WMA.
Some key features of VLC Media Player include:
- Plays most multimedia files as well as discs, devices, and network streaming protocols (source)
- Supports customizable configurations and plugins for advanced features like video and audio filters
- Includes a full music player, media database, and lightweight UI
WMA Pro Player
WMA Pro Player is a free dedicated WMA audio player app for Android by VH Lab Studio. As the name suggests, this music player was designed specifically to play WMA audio files.
Some key features of WMA Pro Player include:
- Dedicated WMA player optimized to play WMA files with high quality sound
- Ability to create playlists of your WMA music files
- 10-band equalizer to customize the sound
- Themed background skins for the player interface
- Sleep timer and auto-off function
For those with collections of WMA files, such as ripped music from CDs, the WMA Pro Player app provides a solid option focused entirely on the WMA format. The dedicated player aims to deliver optimal sound quality and customization when playing back these files. So if you need an Android app to specifically handle your WMA libraries, WMA Pro Player is worth checking out.
Rocket Player
Rocket Player is a well-known music app that is popular for playing a wide range of audio formats, including WMA. It has support for lossless formats such as FLAC, WAV and ALAC, as well as common ones like MP3, WMA, AAC and OGG.
In addition to format support, Rocket Player offers a variety of useful features for organizing and enjoying your music library:
- Widgets and library management tools like playlists, queue, genres and more to easily sort your collection
- Integrates with cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive to access music stored in the cloud
- 10-band equalizer, Gapless playback and audio effects
- Customizable themes and colors
With its versatile format compatibility, library management tools and integration with cloud storage, Rocket Player is an excellent option for playing WMA files on Android.
BS Player
BS Player (https://bsplayer.com/bsplayer-english/products/bsplayer-android.html) is one of the top options for playing WMA files on Android. Some key features include:
- Supports hardware acceleration for smooth playback of HD video
- Plays a wide variety of audio formats including WMA Lossless
- Multitrack audio support
- resizable movie window
- Fully skinnable interface
- Drag & drop support to easily add media files
BS Player is available as a free download from the Google Play Store (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bsplayer.bspandroid.free&hl=en_US&gl=US). The hardware acceleration and support for playing WMA Lossless files makes it one of the top options for Android users with collections of WMA audio files.
Other Options
If you have WMA files that you want to play on your Android device, and none of the top recommended apps support it well, you have a couple other options including a file converter app or streaming from a Windows PC.
One option is to convert the WMA files to a more compatible format like MP3 using an app like MediaConverter or WinFF. These apps allow you to batch convert WMA files quickly. The converted MP3 files can then be transferred to your Android device and played in any music player app. This is the easiest way to ensure compatibility but does require converting files beforehand.
Another method is to set up a media server on your Windows PC to stream WMA music files directly to your Android device via apps like Plex or Kodi. This requires both devices to be on the same WiFi network and some setup, but means you don’t have to convert files. However streaming relies on connectivity so may not be as convenient.
Recommended App
Of the apps discussed, the one we recommend for most Android users looking to play WMA files is VLC media player. As noted in the VLC Media Player section, VLC is a highly capable, open-source media player that supports playback of WMA files as well as a wide variety other audio and video formats.
Key advantages that make VLC our top pick include:
- It’s completely free with no ads or hidden costs
- Provides high quality audio playback
- Allows you to customize the interface and audio settings
- Works offline without an internet connection
- Actively developed and frequently updated
While apps like WMA Pro Player and Rocket Player focus specifically on WMA playback, VLC delivers exceptional format support and usability without compromising features. Its open-source nature and lack of cost also makes it accessible for all users.
For these reasons, VLC media player is an easy choice as the best app for playing WMA files on most Android devices.
Conclusion
To wrap up, the top apps for playing WMA files on Android are: VLC Media Player, WMA Pro Player, and Rocket Player. VLC in particular gets high marks for reliability and compatibility with many different media formats. It’s a trusted app that can handle most audio files you throw at it.
These apps can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store. Simply search for the app name and tap Install to add it to your device. The Play Store recommends related apps as well, so explore those for additional options. Several were covered in the “Other Options” section of this article.
With one of these robust media players installed, you’ll be able to support playback of WMA files with no problems. Enjoy your favorite music without needing to convert your files or purchase upgrades.